My Knowshon Moreno Blog

It is never good when you lose a talented player to the NFL draft. He can be very difficult to replace, especially if he is at the key quarterback or running back positions. When you lose two players at those positions it can sometimes be disastrous when trying to replace them. That is what Georgia had to do coming into the 2009 season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford finished his record setting career and was drafted first overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft. Knowshon Moreno, who was also a record setting running back, was a first round pick of the Denver Broncos.

Their replacements did an ample job for the 8-5 Bulldogs, but Georgia was not a threat to win the SEC against heavyweights Alabama, Florida, and LSU. Senior John Cox, who waited three years before finally getting his chance to start, threw for 2,584 yards and 24 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. The running game did not fare as well. Washaun Ealey, Richard Samuel, and Caleb King split carries, but they struggled to match Moreno's production. A.J. Green was an asset at wide receiver. Though he put up worse numbers than he did in 2008, he had 53 catches for 808 yards and six scores as Cox's number one target. He also did this despite missing three games late in the season.

The 2009 season got off to a tough start as the Bulldogs took a rare non-conference road trip west of the Mississippi to Oklahoma State. The Cowboys dominated the rebuilding Bulldogs 24-10, but that set up a three game winning streak. Georgia returned home to Athens and beat South Carolina (41-37), won at Arkansas 52-41, and out-toughed Arizona State 20-17. Most importantly, Georgia started 2-0 in SEC play. That hot start quickly cooled in game five as LSU knocked off the Bulldogs 20-13. Their momentum was further damaged with a 45-19 loss at Tennessee.

Georgia regained some momentum by beating Vanderbilt 34-10, but struggled mightily in the World Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville. Florida easily handled the Bulldogs 41-17 in the rivalry contest. Fortunately, a layup with Tennessee Tech was next. After playing such a brutal schedule, Georgia reveled in the chance for an easy win. It got exactly that in a 38-0 shutout. That gave them momentum to defeat Auburn 31-24 the following week.

Senior Day was not a fun one in Athens this year, Kentucky ruined the festivities by stealing a 34-27 win. The Wildcats scored two fourth quarter touchdowns and relied on it defense to hold the seven point lead in the final 10 minutes. Georgia did manage to gain some in-state bragging rights. They upset rival Georgia Tech in Atlanta to put a damper on the Yellow Jackets' ACC championship season. That final 8-4 record, plus the solid win over Georgia Tech, meant that Georgia earned a berth int eh Independence Bowl against Texas A&M. These two historic programs played quite a game, as well. Georgia earned a 44-20 win thanks to Brandon Boykin's 81 yard kickoff return for a score.

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former high school football coach of 25 years. His love of the game of football is reflected in his words and memories of growing up in the South and playing football in the back yard with his brother, cousins and neighborhood friends. His biggest thrill is watching former high school players he has coached play at the college level. His favorite pastime is watching college football on tv and attending the games in person every chance he gets. Freddie Brister is a huge fan of the SEC and college football.

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